Method and apparatus for asset tracking and room monitoring in establishments having multiple rooms for temporary occupancy

US7170407B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventor

• Joerg Wagner · Renningen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 9, 2004
• Grant date: Jan 30, 2007
• Expiry date: Mar 4, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G08B13/2462
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system for identification and monitoring of, and obtaining data including location and status data relating to, assets of or in the establishment including mobile property such as food trays, shoe trays or luggage within the establishment or persons temporarily residing or working in the establishment, where the establishment typically has multiple rooms for temporary occupancy and wherein each room has a doorway for access to a common access path to the rooms. In particular the system may be characterized as including a wireless first communicator mounted in association with each room so as to be within a communication enabling proximity to the access path for example adjacent the corresponding doorway for each room, and at least one wireless interactive second communicator, which may be handheld, for use in association with an asset of the establishment. A plurality of the first communicators are thus spaced apart along the access path to the rooms, and for example on the outside of the rooms or otherwise so as to be within the communication enabling proximity to the access path for communication between the first and second communicators. In preferred embodiments each of the f…